Harav Hatzadik Reb Yitzchok Kalish of Vorka [5539-5608] was a Talmid of Reb Simcha Bunim Bonhart, Rebbe of Peshischa. He was also a close friend of the Chidushei Harim of Gur. Both put out endless effort to assist other Yidden. Reb Yitzchok was well known for influencing a large number of individuals. The Rebbe forged a close relationship even with assimilated Jews. The Rebbe also used to make frequent trips to Warsaw to spend Shabbat with his Chassidim.
Once, the Rebbe received a dire request from a very poor Chosid of his who had to marry off a child. The Chosid said, "I have a very wealthy cousin who is able to help me with money." The Rebbe asked, "How much money do you need?" The Rebbe immediately left for the wealthy cousin's home as soon as the chosid gave his cousin's address and mentioned a payment of one hundred rubles. The Rebbe said, "We will get one hundred rubles from your cousin with the help of Hashem."
"Who is requesting to see my master?" inquired the door's servant. The servant came back after a little while to report that his master had no business relations with the Vorka Rebbe. Therefore, the Rebbe returned to the chosid's house empty-handed. "Getting one hundred rubles is not easy. Bitachon and trust that Hashem are essential! His attendants will not permit anyone to approach him!"
The Rebbe went to the wealthy man's door the following day once more. The wealthy cousin himself answered the door this time. He yelled at the Rebbe to leave him alone as soon as he saw his visitor, and slammed the door shut. The Rebbe appeased the Chosid once more, telling him that they would receive the money in a day with Hashem's assistance. Regretfully, the same thing happened the following day. "Reb Yid," the furious cousin screamed when the Rebbe knocked, "either you will leave peacefully or I will throw you out!" The Rebbe calmly returned to the waiting Chosid.
The Rebbe promised the Chosid that he would soon have the required amount of money, even if he hadn't yet succeeded. The Chosid pledged patience and had Emunah in his Rebbe. In the meantime, Mr. Mattias Rosen, a Jewish activist in Warsaw, assisted numerous Yidden despite being an assimilated Jew. Mr. Rosen was very fond of the Vorka Rebbe and was willing to "go through fire and water" in order to assist him. It so happened that the wealthy relative of the Chosid frequented the same club as Mr. Rosen.
The relative proudly told Mr. Rosen about the three times a Rebbe visited him for Tzedaka and the treatment he received! Mr. Rosen retaliated sharply after learning that it was the Vorka Rebbe, asking, "Do you know who you began up with? I fear for your life if you do not go soon and ask for forgiveness! In addition, until you ask the Rebbe for forgiveness, I won't speak with you again. You ought to comply with all of his requests!" When the wealthy cousin realized how serious his offense had been, he paled and got scared. He questioned, "How can I ask for forgiveness now?" "The Rebbe is a kind and understanding individual. The Rebbe will come to you if you send a coach to pick him up,” answered Mr. Rosen.
The Rebbe's host's house was visited by a coach wagon the following day. A servant entered the room to deliver his master's orders, politely asking the Rebbe to come with him back to the rich man's home. As expected, the Rebbe gave in and followed the servant. The Rebbe was thinking to himself on the way to the rich man that even though he had only planned to ask for 100 rubles, the trouble and humiliation he had to endure warranted an additional hundred rubles. Besides, the Rebbe reasoned, a chosid would have plenty to live on with two hundred rubles instead of just one hundred, which would hardly cover his or her expenses.
The wealthy cousin was crying and pleading for the Rebbe's pardon when he saw him come. The man was prepared to give the Vorka Rebbe as much Tzedakah as he asked since he felt embarrassed of how he had treated him. "I pardon you," the Rabbi answered. "To be honest, I only asked for 100 rubles, but in light of everything that happened, I'm asking for 200 rubles to support the cause!" The overjoyed millionaire said, "Of course, I will bring the Rebbe the amount right away." The Rebbe gave the man two hundred rubles and thanked him. -The Rebbe said, "Your devotion and Bitachon in Hashem were rewarded with receiving double your request." The Rebbe gave his chosid the enormous funds. There were no barriers to aiding a Yid when the time came.
